Monrovia, Liberia – President Joseph Nyumah Boakai formally launched the Employees Status Regulation Project (ESRP), emphasizing that it is an important step forward in his administration’s efforts to improve employment, payroll transparency, and accountability throughout all 103 government spending entities.
made the following statement at the launch On Thursday, July 4, 2024 in Monrovia, President Boakai said, his government is grateful for the progress made as they gather to launch one of the government flagship programs. The Employees Status Regulation Project, dedicated to enhancing employment, payroll transparency, and accountability within the government, a challenge Liberia have been addressing for years.
Reforms to increase accountability, openness, and efficiency in government operations have been demanded over the years by a number of groups, including civil society organizations and foreign funders.
In order to require all expenditure organizations under the Civil Service Agency’s purview to adhere to what Mr. Boakai refers to as historic consultancy policy rules, the Liberian President launched the National Consultancy Policy rules on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Monrovia.
The ESRP’s creation of the National Consultancy Policy Guidelines demonstrates a methodical process for coordinating consulting services with ethical norms and national interests. It is probable that the government went through drafting, reviewing, and approval procedures for this policy framework.
President Boakai stated that the purpose of these principles is to guarantee that all government consulting services are in accordance with national interests and adhere to ethical standards in order to produce noticeable outcomes throughout his administration.
Together with the introduction of 97 highly qualified professionals consultants, the President announced the project’s commencement. The consultants’ job is to promote professionalism and honesty throughout the administration.
Director General of the Civil Service Agency Josiah F. Joekai, Jr. received praise from President Boakai for his participation in the ESRP process during the launch. As it relates to increasing efficiency, openness, and citizen responsibility, President expressed that the Employees Status Regulation Project (ESRP) is a major step forward for his administration.
“This project is a big step forward for our administration, not just something that fits into our plan.”
President Boakai expressed hope that the project will improve the workforce and advance wage equity for industrious folks. “Our commitment is demonstrated by the ESRP. Headcount verification will eliminate ghost names and double dippers, legitimize civil servants, and empower qualified professionals to deliver effective services.”
The President emphasizes once more how this vision is in line with the main objective of encouraging accountability and openness in all areas of government. Although he acknowledges the work of the Civil Service Agency, he asserts that its reports show real monthly financial losses rather than just numbers on a balance sheet.
President Boakai argued that the ESRP would improve employee quality and compensation in an efficient and transparent manner, as well as fortify the payroll system and lower losses. The President expressed hope that thorough effort would ensure payroll system correctness and openness, even though he is confident that the ESRP would address present governmental issues.
The National Center for Coordinating Response Mechanism, the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Liberia Institute of Public Administration, and the Ministry of Mines and Energy were the subjects of the first set of progress reports on the ongoing Employees Status Regularization Project (ESRP) released by the Civil Service Agency in June 2024.
Director General Josiah recounted how the reports revealed serious mismanagement and misuse of public funds, including double-dipping, unlawful salary payments, and duplicate account creation at the launch of ESRP.
40 employees of the Ministry of Mines and Energy were let go for absenteeism, which ranged from 14 to 20 days a month, based on attendance and time records. Twelve additional employees received warnings for missing five to seven days in a row, while 81 employees were suspended without pay for eight to twelve days in a row.
The Liberia Institute of Public Administration, during the same period, thirty workers were suspended and twenty-eight staff were fired for similar reasons related to missed work.
Regarding the National Center for Coordinating Response Mechanism, the CSA discovered proof that, between October and December 2023, 12 people had received $23,500 in illicit payments. To find out more about the previous controllers and executive directors of these organizations’ involvement in these illegal payments, the CSA asked the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission to look into their cases.
The human resource directors of these organizations were urged by DG Joekai to come in for additional investigation to the Ministry of Justice’s office of the Solicitor General.
Assuming a successful inquiry, the government expects to save $488,816.82. He observed.
Additionally, Joekai revealed that the CSA had checked the headcount at 29 government agencies, finding and eliminating 14 personnel who were not validated. It is anticipated that this move will save the government $490,828.74.
Director General Josiah discloses that the CSA has prevented 689 people with duplicate National Identity Numbers from being paid by 49 spending companies, as part of the continuing implementation of the General Auditing Commission’s 2021 payroll compliance audit recommendations.
According to DG Joekai, preventing these people from acting would result in extra monthly savings of USD 223,413.84 and annual savings of USD 2.9 million.
